Local News

Turbeville under new leadership

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The Town of Turbeville has elected a new Mayor, as well as two new council members.

The election, held on Nov 5, saw Doyl Gray, Tammy Hicks, Marion Dukes, and Alyce Atkinson running for the two open seats on Town Council, as well as Kathryn Turbeville running unopposed for Mayor. Currently on the council are Herbert Mims and Kathryn Turbeville, and Turbeville's seat will open in February for her to serve as Mayor.

One of the two council seats went to Alyce Atkinson, a born and raised resident of Turbeville. She has loved this small town since she was a child.

“I just want to give back to the town,” said Atkinson. “I want to keep Turbeville a great place to live. I would say make it a great place to live, but we already are.”

Atkinson has already served several years on the Puddin' Swamp Festival Committee, as well as the Turbeville Business Association Committee.

“I have been serving this town for a while now, and being on these committees allows me to hear feedback directly from the community,” said Atkinson. “I want to try and represent those people the best I cant. I want to see positive changes and collaboration within the council. I love Turbeville, and I feel like I can contribute to future growth within the town.”

Doyl Gray took the other seat. Gray has been serving Turbeville for more than 20 years and sees this as an opportunity to give back. He was Turbeville's police chief for 20 years, and before that he retired from the military as a Chief 1 officer.

“As the police chief I was responsible for the public works department,” said Gray. “I think I know this community well, as well as the inside workings of the town. The community has given me 20 years of employment, so hopefully, I can give back and be of value to them on the council.”

Kathryn Turbeville has been a resident of Turbeville for 48 years. She ran unopposed and has some pretty big shoes to fill. Dwayne Howell, known lovingly as “Coach Howell” and “Mr. Everything,” ran unopposed in 2011, and served for 8 years as Turbeville's Mayor. The new Mayor-to-be, however, is ready to fill those shoes.

“I think I can bring something beneficial to the town,” said Turbeville. “I have been on council for almost two years, and someone had to step up after Mr. Howell, so I thought I would give it a shot. Nobody else came to the plate so I am happy to accept this role.”

The three elected officials will be sworn in on the second Tuesday of December at the regularly scheduled Turbeville Town Council meeting.